Vacuum apparatuses with improved stability and methods thereof

Abstract

Applicant has created vacuum apparatuses with improved stability and methods for improving the stability of a wet/dry vacuum. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a motor, a removable drum adapted to store debris collected by the apparatus, and a base that can be adapted to receive the removable drum. The motor can be adapted to be interposed between the removable drum and the base. The methods can include the step of providing a base, the step of providing a removable drum adapted to be coupled to the base, and the step of coupling a vacuum motor to the base such that the vacuum motor is adapted to be disposed beneath the removable drum when the drum is coupled to the base. By relocating the motor of vacuum apparatus beneath the drum, the vacuum's center of gravity can be lowered significantly and, thus, its propensity to tip over is minimized.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vacuum apparatus with improved stability, the vacuum apparatus comprising:
 a vacuum motor; 
 a removable drum adapted to store debris collected by the vacuum apparatus, the removable drum including an interior surface elevated from a bottom of the removable drum, an air inlet conduit extending upward from the elevated surface, and a filter cage circumscribing the air inlet conduit, wherein the air inlet conduit includes a first end portion at the elevated surface and an opposing second end portion having an inlet, and wherein the filter cage extends from the first end portion along the air inlet conduit to a distal end portion adjacent the second end portion of the air inlet conduit, wherein the filter cage is sized and shaped to removably receive an elongate, cylindrical filter thereon such that the filter is spaced from the bottom of the removable drum; 
 an air intake shield positioned at or near the first end portion of the air inlet conduit between the air inlet conduit and the motor; and 
 a base, wherein the base is adapted to receive the removable drum; 
 wherein the vacuum motor is disposed underneath the removable drum when the removable drum is coupled to the base, and wherein, in operation, air flows through the filter cage, through the inlet to the air inlet conduit, and downwardly to the air intake shield. 
 
     
     
       2. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least two casters, wherein the casters are adapted to be coupled to a first edge of the base. 
     
     
       3. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising two additional casters, wherein the two additional casters are adapted to be coupled to a second edge of the base, and further wherein the second edge is disposed on a side of the base opposite the first edge. 
     
     
       4. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an accessory coupler adapted to couple one or more accessories to the drum. 
     
     
       5. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the accessory coupler is adapted to expand and contract to store the one or more accessories. 
     
     
       6. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable drum is adapted to attenuate the sound produced by the motor. 
     
     
       7. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a power switch disposed below the removable drum, wherein the power switch is adapted to be toggled between an on and off position by an operator's foot. 
     
     
       8. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable drum has a first maximum storage capacity, further wherein the removable drum is adapted to be interchanged with a replacement removable drum having a second maximum storage capacity that is either less than or greater than the first maximum storage capacity. 
     
     
       9. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a biased actuator, wherein the actuator is adapted to facilitate the coupling and decoupling of the drum to the base. 
     
     
       10. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a lock mechanism, wherein the lock mechanism is adapted to be received by a receiving plate in the base to secure the drum to the base. 
     
     
       11. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is disposed in a vertical orientation relative to the drum and the base. 
     
     
       12. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the motor and the filter cage are axially aligned with the drum's central axis. 
     
     
       13. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an auto-shutoff switch, wherein the auto-shutoff switch is actuated when the removable drum is filled to at least a predetermined capacity. 
     
     
       14. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable drum comprises a drum inlet adapted to pass air between an inside and outside portion of the removable drum. 
     
     
       15. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a scroll apparatus, wherein the scroll apparatus is adapted to direct the flow of motor exhaust perpendicularly with respect to air flowing through the drum inlet. 
     
     
       16. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a float configured to rise with a liquid level within the removable drum to obstruct an air inlet to the vacuum motor. 
     
     
       17. The vacuum apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum motor is either interposed between the removable drum and the base or disposed underneath a portion of the base. 
     
     
       18. A method for improving the stability of a wet/dry vacuum, the method comprising:
 providing a base comprising two or more casters; 
 providing a removable drum adapted to store debris collected by the wet/dry vacuum, wherein the removable drum is adapted to be coupled to the base, the removable drum including an interior surface elevated from a bottom of the removable drum, an air inlet conduit extending upward from the elevated surface, and a filter cage circumscribing the air inlet conduit, wherein the air inlet conduit includes a first end portion at the elevated surface and an opposing second end portion having an inlet, and wherein the filter cage extends from the first end portion along the air inlet conduit to a distal end portion adjacent the second end portion of the air inlet conduit, wherein the filter cage is sized and shaped to removably receive an elongate, cylindrical filter thereon such that the filter is spaced from the bottom of the removable drum; 
 coupling a vacuum motor to the base; and 
 positioning an air intake shield at or near the first end portion of the air inlet conduit between the air inlet conduit and the vacuum motor; 
 wherein the vacuum motor is disposed underneath the removable drum when the removable drum is coupled to the base when the drum is coupled to the base, and wherein, in operation, air flows through the filter cage, through an inlet to the air inlet conduit, and downwardly to the air intake shield. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising providing a drum cover comprising an access cover for the removable drum. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the drum cover and access cover are each adapted to engage in an open and a closed position. 
     
     
       21. A vacuum apparatus with improved stability, the vacuum apparatus comprising:
 a vacuum motor; 
 a removable drum adapted to store debris collected by the vacuum apparatus, the removable drum including an interior surface elevated from a bottom of the removable drum, an air inlet conduit extending upward from the elevated surface, and a filter cage circumscribing the air inlet conduit and extending at least a majority of the length of the air inlet conduit wherein the air inlet conduit extends at least a majority of the length of the filter cage, wherein the air inlet conduit includes a first end portion at the elevated surface and an opposing second end portion having an inlet, and wherein the filter cage is sized and shaped to removably receive an elongate, cylindrical filter thereon such that the filter is spaced from the bottom of the removable drum; 
 an air intake shield positioned at or near the first end portion of the air inlet conduit between the air inlet conduit and the motor; and 
 a base, wherein the base is adapted to receive the removable drum; 
 wherein the vacuum motor is adapted to be disposed underneath the removable drum when the removable drum is coupled to the base, and wherein, in operation, air flows through the filter cage, through the inlet to the air inlet conduit, and downwardly to the air intake shield.